[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 223 (Monday, November 19, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 58191-58193]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-24995]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
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 

  Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 223 / Monday, November 19, 2018 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 58191]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0980; Product Identifier 2017-SW-123-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (Airbus Helicopters) Model MBB-BK 
117 C-2 helicopters. This proposed AD would require establishing or 
reducing the life limit of various parts. This proposed AD is prompted 
by recalculations. The actions of this proposed AD are intended to 
address an unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 18, 
2019.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: Send comments to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to the ``Mail'' address between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-
0980; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains 
this proposed AD, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, the 
economic evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The 
street address for Docket Operations (telephone 800-647-5527) is in the 
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly 
after receipt.
    For service information identified in this proposed rule, contact 
Airbus Helicopters, 2701 N Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052; 
telephone (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323; fax (972) 641-3775; or at 
http://www.helicopters.airbus.com/website/en/ref/Technical-Support_73.html. You may review the referenced service information at 
the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 
Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 76177.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 
10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; 
email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting 
written comments, data, or views. We also invite comments relating to 
the economic, environmental, energy, or federalism impacts that might 
result from adopting the proposals in this document. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. To 
ensure the docket does not contain duplicate comments, commenters 
should send only one copy of written comments, or if comments are filed 
electronically, commenters should submit only one time.
    We will file in the docket all comments that we receive, as well as 
a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel 
concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this proposal, we 
will consider all comments we receive on or before the closing date for 
comments. We will consider comments filed after the comment period has 
closed if it is possible to do so without incurring expense or delay. 
We may change this proposal in light of the comments we receive.

Discussion

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD No. 2017-0174, dated September 12, 
2017 (EASA AD 2017-0174), to correct an unsafe condition for Airbus 
Helicopters Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters. EASA advises that 
recalculation by Airbus Helicopters has resulted in new or reduced life 
limits for certain parts. EASA AD 2017-0174 states the life limits are 
mandatory for continued airworthiness and failing to replace life-
limited parts as specified could result in an unsafe condition. To 
address this condition, EASA AD 2017-0174 requires replacing the 
affected parts before exceeding their new or reduced life limit.

FAA's Determination

    These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of 
Germany and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with Germany, EASA, its technical 
representative, has notified us of the unsafe condition described in 
its AD. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all known 
relevant information and determined that an unsafe condition is likely 
to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.

Related Service Information

    We reviewed Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin ASB MBB-BK117 
C-2-04A-008, Revision 0, dated April 27, 2017, for Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 
and C-2e helicopters. This service information specifies entering into 
the helicopter records the reduced and new airworthiness life limits 
for certain part-numbered main rotor head, swash plate, rotor flight 
controls, cyclic controls, and upper controls parts.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require establishing and reducing the life 
limit of the following parts: Main rotor head--nut, upper and lower 
quadruple nut, bolts, and inner sleeve; swash plate control ring 
assembly; rotor flight control collective bellcrank-K; cyclic

[[Page 58192]]

control rod tube; and upper control forked lever.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 128 helicopters of 
U.S. Registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs 
in order to comply with this AD. Labor costs are estimated at $85 per 
work-hour.
    Replacing a nut would take about 5 work-hours and parts would cost 
about $3,352 for an estimated replacement cost of $3,777.
    Replacing a quadruple nut upper would take about 5 work-hours and 
parts would cost about $3,283 for an estimated replacement cost of 
$3,708.
    Replacing a quadruple nut lower would take about 5 work-hours and 
parts would cost about $3,405 for an estimated replacement cost of 
$3,830.
    Replacing a bolt would take about 2 work-hours and parts would cost 
about $370 for an estimated replacement cost of $540.
    Replacing an inner sleeve would take about 2 work-hours and parts 
would cost about $20,073 for an estimated replacement cost of $20,243.
    Replacing a control ring assembly would take about 5 work-hours and 
parts would cost about $11,141 for an estimated replacement cost of 
$11,566.
    Replacing a bellcrank-K (collective) would take about 4 work-hours 
and parts would cost about $3,400 for an estimated replacement cost of 
$3,740.
    Replacing a control rod tube would take about 4 work-hours and 
parts would cost about $1,084 for an estimated replacement cost of 
$1,424.
    Replacing a forked lever would take about 3 work-hours and parts 
would cost about $6,049 for an estimated replacement cost of $6,304.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation 
Programs,'' describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's 
authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
``Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not 
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship 
between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution 
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed, I certify this proposed regulation:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
    3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent that 
it justifies making a regulatory distinction; and
    4. Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    We prepared an economic evaluation of the estimated costs to comply 
with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH: Docket No. FAA-2018-0980; 
Product Identifier 2017-SW-123-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model 
MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters with a part listed in Table 1 to 
paragraph (e) of this AD installed, certificated in any category.

    Note 1 to paragraph (a) of this AD: Helicopters with an MBB-
BK117 C-2e designation are Model MBB-BK117 C-2 helicopters.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a part remaining in 
service beyond its fatigue life. This condition could result in 
failure of a part and loss of control of the helicopter.

(c) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by January 18, 2019.

(d) Compliance

    You are responsible for performing each action required by this 
AD within the specified compliance time unless it has already been 
accomplished prior to that time.

(e) Required Actions

    Before further flight, remove from service any part that has 
reached or exceeded its new or reduced life limit as listed in Table 
1 to paragraph (e) of this AD. Thereafter, remove from service each 
part on or before reaching its new or reduced life limit as listed 
in Table 1 to paragraph (e) of this AD. For purposes of this AD, a 
``landing'' is counted any time the helicopter lifts off into the 
air and then lands again regardless of the duration of the landing 
and regardless of whether the engine is shut down.
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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP19NO18.001

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(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards 
Branch, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: 
Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management 
Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., 
Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; email [email protected].
    (2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating 
certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that you 
notify your principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, 
the manager of the local flight standards district office or 
certificate holding district office before operating any aircraft 
complying with this AD through an AMOC.

(g) Additional Information

    (1) Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin ASB MBB-BK117 C-2-
04A-008, Revision 0, dated April 27, 2017, which is not incorporated 
by reference, contains additional information about the subject of 
this AD. For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus Helicopters, 2701 N Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052; 
telephone (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323; fax (972) 641-3775; or 
at http://www.helicopters.airbus.com/website/en/ref/Technical-Support_73.html. You may review the referenced service information 
at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 
Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 76177.
    (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2017-0174, dated September 12, 2017. You 
may view the EASA AD on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov 
in the AD Docket.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6220, Main Rotor 
Head; 6230 Main Rotor Mast/Swashplate; and 6710, Main Rotor Control.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 6, 2018.
James A. Grigg,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-24995 Filed 11-16-18; 8:45 am]
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